Before I say anything, please take a look at this video:

Sunday, June 13, 2010. A pre-E3 show called Experience, with contributions by Cirque Du Soleil will be Microsoft's grand reveal for the dressed up Natal. Let us all hope their scripted, directed and choreographed videos turn out better than this one.

My first reflection is how similar this seems to the execution and reception to the Wii. The keynotes and press conference thoroughly dressed up the experience. Then the 'real' (read: 'embarrassing' videos hit the internet, and the haters flamed along while the fanboys (and fangirls) threw out all their defenses at the comical play style. When the Wii hit retail shelves, every new owner looked stilted, either stiff or agitated as they played. While the haters will never truly relent (i.e. 'haters gonna hate'), most people soon settled down, learning to be more proficient and exact. Amongst them, the lazy soon accustomed to competent play with a brisk waggle whilst seated snugly on a couch.

Hopefully the Natal will follow suit, at least in its users' adaptation to awkwardness. Perhaps the more pertinent question is how Natal will differ from a next-generation (PlayStation) EyeToy, but the exact criticism can be applied to the Move, an amped-up version of the Wii remote. Ultimately something that will be understood in due time, as E3 draws near, as details are still scant at best.

Definitely keeping close tabs on E3 this year. Thankfully the rest of my agenda seems to line up just right - by the time I'm done with my current set of work, the show will have just kicked in. Hoping to catch all the keynotes live, and deliver some insight fresh from Los Angeles.